Steam irons



Aug. 13, 1957 c. HOECKER STEAM IRONS Filed Feb. 13, 1953 [fit/627250)": A/ber' C. Hoeckefi Atty gy- United States Patent STEAM IRONS Albert C. Hoecker, St. Louis, Mo., assignor, by mesne assignments, to- General Electric Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York This invention relates to steam irons and more particularly to atomizing irons.

Atomizing irons have small discharge outlets and therefore the outlets are likely to become clogged by scale or other material entering the boiler. Atomizing irons also may have a greater steam pressure than the conventional steam iron and therefore some means must be provided for controlling the steam pressure to prevent explosion of the boiler.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a steam iron with a minute atomizing discharge outlet and a larger steam outlet, and with a valve adapted to be manually held closed by the operator when the atomizer is in operation and to be automatically opened when the operator releases the valve control means.

Another object of the invention is to provide the atomizing discharge outlet with a safety plug.

Another object of the invention is to provide an. iron with improved means for filling the iron.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a steam and atomizing iron with a valve that will be forced open by the steam pressure in the boiler in the event the control valve should fail to open after the operator of the iron releases the control means.

Other and further objects will appear in the specification and be specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings exemplifying the invention and in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal" sectional view of the iron.

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the iron.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of a modified form of the iron.

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the hollow screw Fig. 3.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings, 1 designates the boiler generally. A sole plate 2 is secured to the lower wall 3 of the boiler by a screw 4 a distancefrom the forward end of the boiler. A second screw 5 extending through the sole plate and screwed into the boiler wall 3 secures the rear end of the sole plate to the boiler. The screw 5 has a central opening 6, for a purpose to be describedlater. Mounted and clamped between the lower wall 3 of the boiler and the sole plate 2 is an electrical heating element 8, supplied with power through electrical conductors 9 which extend through a conduit 10, said conduit communicating with an opening 11 in the lower wall 3 of the boiler and with an opening 12 in the'upper wall 13 of the boiler.

The forward end of the boiler 1 is provided with a partition 14 which extends from the front wall of the boiler and a distance from the top wall 13 of the boiler and to the side walls of the boiler and open at the rear thereof, so as to provide a steam chamber 15. An atomizing nozzle 16 communicates with the steam chamber 15 and'with an opening 17 in the sole plate 2 for conducting atomized water to the material to be ironed. The opening in the nozzle is very small, so as to retain suflicient steam pressure in the boiler to atomize any water passing through the nozzle. Obviously, with the small opening 16" in the nozzle there is danger of the opening becoming clogged with scale or other material which may accumulate in the boiler. Therefore it is dangerous to operate the boiler without some means whereby the steam can escape in the event the nozzle does become clogged. In order to eliminate such danger, the iron or boiler is provided with a second pipe 18, having an opening larger than the opening in the nozzle 16 and communicating with an opening in the partition 14 and an opening 19 in the sole plate 2 for conducting the steam from the steam chamber 15 through the opening 19 in the sole plate to the material to be ironed. The upper end of the ,steam pipe 18 is provided with a bushing 20 to retain a predetermined steam pressure in the boiler for steaming the material to be ironed. Extending from the bushing 20 through the opening 19 in sole plate 2,. the size of pipe 18 increases, so that water may be poured therein through the sole plate to fill the boiler with water.

For controlling the steam pressure inthe boiler, the upper end of the pipe 18 is provided with a tapered valve seat 23 for the reception of a correspondingly tapered valve 24, said valve having a stem 25 extending through the upper wall of the boiler and opening 26 in a stufling box 27. The upper end of the valve stem 25 has a knob 28 attached thereto for operating the valve. The knob 28 extends through an opening 29 in the handle 30 for convenient operation. Surrounding the valve stem 25 and engaging the knob 28 and top of the stufiing box is an expansion spring for holding the valve 24 in open position. with the valve engaging the lower end of the stufiing box 27.

The forward end of the partition 14 is provided with a very small water inlet 31 and the forward end of the boiler is provided with a valve 32 having a valve stem 33 which extends through the valve 32 into the boiler. The valve stem 33 is tapered at one end to engage inlet 31 for control of flow through this water inlet. The other end of the stem 33 is provided with a knob 34 for rotating the valve stem 33 in the threads 35 in the valve 32, to open and close the opening or water inlet 31. Thus a regulated amount of water enters steam chamber 15, to mix with the steam when the toe of the iron is tilted downwardly. v I

To fill the iron, the bottom of the iron is turned upwardly and water poured in the opening in the pipe 18 until the boiler is filled with water to approximately one half inch below the partition 14. The terminals 9 of the heating element are then connected to a source of electrical supply for heating the water in the boiler to generate steam. After steam is generated in the boiler and valve 24 is held open by spring 25", as shown in Fig. l, steam will be directed to the material to be ironed through both the nozzle 16 and the pipe 18, while ironing. However, if the operator of the iron desires dampening the material with atomized water, valve 31 is opened and then the operator depresses the knob 28 to close the opening at the upper end of the pipe 18. The steam pressure in the boiler increases to atomize the mixed steam and water discharged through the small outlet 16" when the toe of the iron is tilted downwardly. With the knob 28 depressed and the valve 24 closing the opening in the upper end of the pipe 18 for dampening the material, it is only necessary for the operator of. the iron to lift the iron oh the material being ironed and tilt the toe of the iron downwardly thereby causing thewater in the boiler to enter the steam chamber 15 through the small opening 31 in the partition. 14, mixing the water with the steam in the steam chamber. After the mixed steam and water enters the steam cham-. ber, the mixed steam and water enters the nozzle 16 and is discharged onto the material to be ironed through the small atomizing outlet 16". After the'material is slimciently dampened, the operator releases the knob 29 whereby the expansion spring will urge the valve 24 upwardly and off the seat 23, thereby automatically allowing the steam pressure which was built up in the boiler while the valve was closed to escape through the pipe 18, and thereby prevent any danger of the boiler exploding, in the event the nozzle should become clogged. As a further safety means, the boiler is filled through the steam pipe 18. Obviously, if the water enters the boiler through the steam pipe, steam will escape through the steam pipe.

Further, in connection with the dampening of the clothing with atomized water, some fabrics require a greater amount of dampness than others. In order to obtain the desired dampening effect, the knob 34 is turned to the right or left, causing the tapered end of the valve stem 33 to move in and out of the opening 31, thereby admitting the desired amount of water into steam chamber 15 for the desired dampening effect.

At the rear of the iron, an exhaust chamber is formed by a cylindrical conduit 37. To form a valve seat 39, a

bushing 38 is pressed into this conduit. The valve seat preferably is tapered for the reception of a correspondingly tapered rubber plug or valve 40. Valve 40 includes a valve stem extending rearwardly terminating in an operating knob 53. This valve stem is guided and located by a threaded sleeve 42 having a central passageway to receive the stem. Sleeve 42 is screw threaded into the rear of conduit 37 and is provided at its outer end with an operating knob 43. The knob is secured to sleeve 42 by flow of steam from the boiler through this exhaust passage into chamber 36 is limited to prevent possible injury to the operator of the iron. Steam exhausting through outlet 44 flows into chamber 36 for subsequent discharge through aperture 6 in the sole plate or an exhaust port 58 through the rear wall of the iron. The upper wall of chamber 36 is formed in the shape of a funnel 45 so that water can be poured into the funnel for filling the boiler. The top of the funnel is provided with a cover plate 47 which when closed, prevents exhaust steam from discharging upwardly. If desired, the boiler may be filled with a special water container 43 having one end formed as a funnel 49 with an opening 50 therein. The lower end of container 48 is provided with a tube 51 adapted to be inserted into exhaust outlet 44. Valve 40 is normally maintained in a closed position by means of a compression spring 52. The valve can be opened, however, by moving knob 53 axially outwardly, and since this knob is secured to the valve stem, a corresponding motion of the valve will occur.

To prevent any water that may accumulate in the exhaust chamber 36 from discharge onto the ironing surface the lower wall of the exhaust chamber is provided with an upstanding pipe 54 which communicates with the exhaust chamber and an opening 6 in the screw 5 in the sole plate 2. Since the heating element 8 is directly below the lower wall of the exhaust chamber, the water that enters the exhaust chamber 36 will be converted to steam and directed to the material to be ironed through the small opening 6.

An additional safety device is shown in the rear wall of the exhaust chamber 36. The device comprises a flexible plate 55 having a minute opening 56, said plate being pivotally connected to the exhaust chamber wall by a pivot 57. The exhaust chamber wall is provided with an opening 58, said opening being larger than the opening 56 and in alignment with the opening 56, so that in the event the small opening 56 becomes clogged, the steam pressure in the exhaust chamber will force the plate 55 outwardly and thereby release the pressure in the exhaust chamber.

With the valve 40 in the position shown, it is obvious that it the steam pressure in the boiler exceeds a predetermined pressure, the valve 40 will be forced off its seat, causing the steam from the boiler to enter the conduit 37 and discharge through small outlet between the end of the sleeve 42 and the exhaust outlet 44 into the exhaust chamber 36, and from the exhaust chamber 36, the steam will enter the pipe 54 and be discharged through the opening 6, and also through the opening 58 in the plate exhaust chamber wall.

In order to fill the boiler with water, the knob 43 is turned to the left, from the position shown, causing the sleeve 42 to be screwed outwardly, until the sleeve passes the exhaust outlet 44. With the exhaust outlet open, water can be poured into the funnel. From the funnel the water enters the conduit 37 and from the conduit 37 the water passes the valve 40 and enters the boiler.

The Water container 48 may be utilized for filling the boiler with water. In the event the container is utilized, the operator of the container grasps the container and places one finger over the opening in the tube 51. Water is then poured in the funnel 49, the water entering the container through the opening 50. After the container is filled with water, the operator releases the finger on the opening at the lower end of the tube and closes the opening 50 at the upper end of the container, thereby creating a vacuum in the container, so the water will not escape. After the container is filled with water the tube 51 is inserted in the funnel opening and into the exhaust outlet 44. After the container is in the position shown the operator removes his finger at the top of the container, thereby breaking the vacuum in the container and causing the water in the container to enter the conduit 37 and pass the valve 40 into the boiler. After the boiler is filled the container is removed and the cover plate turned so as to close the opening in the funnel and thereby to prevent steam discharge into the exhaust chamber from injuring the operator of the iron. After the boiler is filled and the cover plate in position, the knob 43 is turned to the right until the sleeve 42 takes the position shown. In the position shown, it will be observed that the sleeve 42 does not completely close the exhaust outlet 44. When the sleeve 42 is moved outwardly, as previously mentioned for filling the boiler, the knob 43 engages the knob 53, thereby pulling the valve or plug 40 out of the seat 39. In addition to the small opening between the exhaust outlet and the end of the sleeve 42, it will be noted, that the threaded sleeve will slowly open the exhaust outlet when the knob 43 on the sleeve is rotated, and thereby also prevent a rush of steam through the exhaust outlet 44, when filling the boiler with water.

The handle 30 is secured to the boiler by screws 59, however, no claim is made to the manner in which the handle is attached to the boiler.

In the modified forms shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the nozzle is provided with an atomizing device, consisting of a tapered rubber plug 60, having a minute opening 61. The plug 60 may be of rubber or other material and is adapted to be forced in the nozzle 105, spaced above the ironing surface of the soleplate, so the plug will act as a safety device and blow out, if the steam pressure in the boiler should exceed a predetermined pressure. Just below the plug 60 is a hollow screw 62 having a cross member 63 with an opening 64. This screw 62 has a dual purpose. It extends through an opening in the sole plate 2 and is screwed into a part 65 which is a part of the lower wall of the boiler for securing the soleplate to the boiler. The cross member 63 with its opening 64 directs the atomized water to the material to be ironed and the cross member 63 allows the plug 60 to drop down sufficiently for the excessive steam pressure to escape, but holds the plug 60 in such position that it can be easily forced back in the nozzle after the excessive steam pressure escapes. Thus it can be seen that the nozzle construction includes means for receiving and retaining plug 60 within the iron when the plug is blown outwardly. to relieve the pressure.

Above the partition 14 is a box-like member 66, having its upper wall formed out of a part of the upper wall of the boiler 101 and extending through said wall is a stufling box 71 the same as shown in Fig. l. A valve stem 102 extends through the stuffing box 71, said stem having a valve 67 at one end and a knob 68 secured to the other end for operating said valve. The knob 68 has a projection 69 which engines the upper wall of the handle 30 to hold the valve 67 in a partially closed position, as shown by the dotted lines. An expansion spring 70 which engages the knob 68 and the stufling box 71 biases the valve open. In alignment with the valve 67 and in the lower wall of the box-like member 66 is a steam inlet 72 which is to be closed and opened by the valve 67 for controlling the steam entering the box-like member 66. Communicating with an opening in the forward end the box-like member 66 is a conduit 74 for conducting the steam from the boxlike member 66 to the material to be ironed. The boiler also may be filled with water through conduit 74 by pouring or otherwise admitting water into aperture 73 in sole plate 103. During filling, valve 67 and knob 68 preferably are in the'full line position shown by Fig. 3. With the boiler filled with water and the valve in the position shown by the dotted lines, a predetermined steam pressure will be generated in the boiler, when the terminals 9 are connected to a source of electrical supply. With the desired steam pressure in the boiler and the valve in the position shown, the steam .enters the box 66 through the steam inlet 72 and is directed to the material to be ironed through the conduit 74 for steaming the material. For dampening the material with atomized water, the operator depresses the knob 68 thereby causing the valve 67 to close the steam inlet 72. At the sametime the operator tilts the toe of the iron downwardly, to cause the water in the boiler to enter the steam chamber 15 through the minute opening 104, and from the steam chamber 15 the water enters the nozzle 105. Steam from the steam chamber also enters the nozzle, mixing the steam with the water, and from the nozzle the mixed steam and water is conducted to the material to be ironed through the atomizing plug outlet 61. Obviously, when the operator depresses the knob 68 and closes the steam inlet 72, the steam pressure increases sufficiently to cause the mixture of steam and water to be atomized, when passing through the atomizing outlet 61.

After the clothing has been dampened, the operator releases the pressure on the knob 68, thereby releasing the steam pressure and causing the steam to enter the box 66 and be conducted to the material to be ironed through the conduit 74, for steaming the material. As a safety device, it will be noted that when liquid is poured into the boiler through conduit 74, any obstruction that may have accumulated in the conduit will be removed. Furthermore, when the knob 68 is depressed, so as to close the opening 72, high pressure steam cannot enter the box 66 and hence high pressure steam is not applied to valve stem 102 and packing gland 71. In addition the high pressure steam will force the valve open, if the valve does not automatically open, when the operator releases the knob 68. From the foregoing it is obvious that the iron can be operated safely, with an atomizing device.

A second atomizing device is provided by a conduit 77 which extends from midway between the ends of the boiler to the front of the boiler and communicates with an atomizing nozzle 78 for directing steam downwardly. A second nozzle 79 has one end opening immediately below the nozzle 78 and the other end extending in the boiler, above the steam chamber wall or partition wall 14, so that water will not enter the nozzle 79, while the iron is on even keel, as while ironing, but so that water will enter the nozzle, through the water inlet 104, when the toe of the iron is tilted downwardly.

To operate the iron, the operator of the iron depresses the knob 68, so as to increase the steam pressure in the boiler. As previously mentioned, the toe of the iron is 6 then tilted downwardly causing the water in the boiler to enter the steam chamber 15 through the water inlet 104 and be discharged through the nozzle 79. At the same time the steam from the nozzle 78 will strike the water discharged from the nozzle 79, atomizing the water, for dampening the material to be ironed.

As a further safety and filling device, the rear. end of the boiler is provided with a hollow projecting member 80, having a filler opening 81 for filling the boiler with water, and an exhaust outlet 82. The forward end of the hollow member 88 communicates with the boiler through a tapered opening 89 to provide a seat for a rubber plug or valve 83, for closing the opening 89. A hollow sleeve 84 having its outer end closed is screwed in the member 80. A valve stem 87 is secured to the rubber plug or valve 83, and said stem extends through sleeve 84 and is attached to a V-shaped cam 88 which coacts with a V-slot in the sleeve. filling, the cooperating cam and cam slot pull the plug or valve 83 out of the opening 89. A spring 90 engages the plug 83 and the closed end of the sleeve 84, for holding the plug 83 in the opening 89. The sleeve 84 is screwed in the member 80 until the forward end of the sleeve closes the filler opening 81, and the large opening 91 in the sleeve 84 registers with the small exhaust outlet 82, as shown. With the valve or plug 83 in the opening 89, and the opening 91 in alignment with the small exhaust outlet 82, it is obvious that if the steam pressure in the boiler exceeds a predetermined pressure, the valve or plug 83 will be forced out of the opening 89 and the steam in the boiler will be discharged through the small exhaust outlet 82, and since the exhaust outlet 82 slants towards the boiler, there islittle danger of the steam injuring the operator of the iron. The rear end of the member 80 is provided with two stops 92, so that when the small knob 93, which is secured to the sleeve 84 is rotated to the different extreme position, the opening 91 in the sleeve 84 will be in proper registration with the exhaust outlet 82 or the filler opening 81. To fill the boiler with water, the knob 93" on sleeve 84 is turned to the right or left, to cause the cam 88 to move along V-slot 85, thereby pulling the valve or plug 83 out of the opening 89, to allow the steam to escape through the small exhaust outlet 82, before the filler opening 81 is opened. After the steam is all out of the boiler, the knob 93 is rotated until opening 9 1 in the sleeve 84 is in alignment with the filler opening 81. Water may then be introduced into the boiler, by inserting a funnel in the filler opening 81 and pouring water in the funnel. After the boiler is filled with water, the knob 93 is again moved to the lower stop 92, and the knob 93" is turned so the cam 88 will drop down into the V-slot 85, the spring pulling the cam 88 into the slot 85, and forcing the plug or valve 83 into the opening 89, sealing the boiler.

The iron shown by Fig. 3 includes, of course, an electrical heating element 188, generally similar to element 8 of Fig. 1. Also, an appropriate handle 186 is provided, secured to boiler 181 by appropriate fastening devices such'as 59' and 187. In other respects, the construction illustrated by Fig. 3 resembles the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2.

While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention, it will be understood, of course, that I do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made, and I, therefore, contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A dampening and pressing iron comprising a steam boiler having a steam space and a water space including a pressing surface and means for heating said pressing surface and said boiler to generate steam, a fluid conductor having one end communicating with an opening in said pressing surface and the other end communicating with said steam space for admitting steam therein, means for When sleeve 84 is rotated for admitting a predetermined quantity of water from said water space into said fluid conductor to mix the water and steam therein, said fluid conductor being restricted to enable sufiicient steam pressure to be developed within said boiler to effect atomization of the mixture of steam and water discharged through said fluid conductor and said opening in said pressing surface for dampening the material to be ironed, a second fluid conductor having an outlet larger than said atomizing outlet for conducting low pressure steam to the material to be ironed, and valve means communicating with said second fluid conductor for closing the outlet to said conductor to increase the steam pressure in said boiler for dampening the material.

2. A dampening and pressing iron comprising a steam boiler including a pressing surface, a partition dividing the boiler into a steam space and a water space, said partition extending from side wall to side wall at the forward end of the boiler and having its forward end closed and rear end open for the admission of steam from said boiler, a water inlet of restricted size extending through said partition at the forward end of the boiler for the admission of a predetermined quantity of water from said water space into said steam space for mixing the water with the steam therein, an atomizing discharge outlet communicating with said steam space and directed to the material to be ironed, said atomizing discharge outlet having approximately the same size outlet as said water inlet to enable sufficient steam pressure to be developed in said boiler to effect atomization of the mixed steam and water discharged through said atomizing discharge outlet, a steam discharge outlet communicating with said steam space of larger size than said atomizing discharge outlet through which steam i discharged while ironing and a valve for closing said larger outlet while discharging through said atomizing outlet.

3. A dampening and pressing iron including a steam boiler having a steam space, a water space, and a sole plate, means for heating said sole plate and said boiler to produce steam, a nozzle having an inlet communicating with the steam space in said boiler and an outlet discharging through said sole plate to the material to be ironed, and an elastic plug positioned in said nozzle and spaced above the ironing surface of the sole plate and having a minute atomizing discharge aperture, said plug frictionally engaging the outlet of said nozzle during normal operation and blowing outwardly to relieve an excessive steam pressure within said boiler.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said nozzle includes means for receiving and retaining said elastic plug within the iron when it blows outwardly to relieve pressure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,349,052 Elman Aug. 10, 1920 1,590,245 Koenig June 29, 1926 1,814,656 Anschicks July 14, 1931 2,088,226 Arvintz July 27, 1937 2,189,709 Deems Feb. 6, 1940 2,218,324 Ekstedt Oct. 15, 1940 2,279,215 Theilgaard Apr. 7, 1942 2,323,225 Ledbetter June 29, 1943 2,368,048 Stone Ian. 23, 1945 2,387,757 Hoecker Oct. 30, 1945 2,483,580 Green et al Oct. 4, 1949 2,550,825 Kolodie May 1, 1951 2,596,608 Scott May 13, 1952 2,620,576 Stevenson Dec. 9, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 616,571 Great Britain Jan. 24, 1949 

